Korn Aiming to Get ‘Heavy’ and ‘Dirtier’ on Next Studio Album

Since returning to Korn last year, guitarist Brian 'Head' Welch, has invigorated the band on stage and with his work on the band’s latest album, ‘The Paradigm Shift.’ Korn’s other guitarist, James 'Munky' Shaffer, recently opened up about the band’s vision for their next effort.

In an interview with Pop-Break.com, Munky said the band wants to “keep the melodic elements of what we captured on the last record but really expand on the heavy riffs and get a bit dirtier.” He continued, “Maybe a little longer songs with longer intros, and a little more math rock, not prog-rocky but maybe some slower tempoed grooves that are 7/8 or 3/4 timing and stuff like that.”

Korn are no strangers to taking musical chances and pushing the envelope, especially with their foray into dubstep with their 2011 album, 'The Path of Totality', which featured Skrillex and other DJs and electronic producers. Munky elaborated on the band’s vision saying, “It’s about taking chances and going out on a limb. You hear a lot of bands say how every album is a chance to reinvent yourself. For us, I really feel like we’ve gone out on a f---ing plank because sometimes there’s no turning back. You have to commit to it and sometimes it’s like ‘Eh, I don’t know,’ and you kind of let go and see what happens.”

Drummer Ray Luzier, who joined the band in 2007, added that they constantly challenge him to step outside his comfort zone. He commented, “Some of my favorite bands like Iron Maiden or AC/DC, you kind of know what they’re new records are going to sound like. And that’s great because the fans expect it, and it’s a formula that works so don’t touch it. It’s cool when Jon brings these different ideas over and we’re like ‘Whoa’ and we step back for a second. Once we embrace it, we’ll get our heads around it and it’s a pretty fierce thing.”

Before they go forward they may have to take a look back as Oct. 11 will mark the 20th anniversary of Korn’s self-titled debut album. Munky offered some insight to what the band has planned, saying, “Our 20th anniversary will probably be next year. We’re celebrating the idea this year. [Laughs] We came up with a couple of ideas but I think it will have to be a performance or recording of us in a usual place playing the older songs. We still have to figure out the details regarding the location and songs. It’s going to be cool.”

Korn will kick off their fall tour with Slipknot on Oct. 3 in Flint, Mich. You can see all the tour dates here.